The municipalities of Western Visayas Region will benefit from a total of P1,376,156,814 worth of projects under the Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM) program of the government this year.The amount will be used to fund 345 projects in 98 municipalities from the Region’s five provinces – Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo.

The ADM is a new program based on the budget philosophy of the Duterte Administration, which was anchored on the goal of outlining the role of LGUs as able partners in development. This goal is fulfilled by conditioning LGUs that funds will be given to them in the implementation of higher good governance standards, improved capacity to generate resources and strengthened ability to deliver basic services.

Of the five provinces, Iloilo has the most number of proposed projects. This totaled to 149 projects, with a fund allocation of P650,924,907.00.

This year, ADM Program targets a total of 1,373 municipalities all over the country with a total budget of 19.4 billion pesos under FY 2017 General Appropriations Act, Republic Act No. 10924.

Orientations and Workshops

To ensure that the LGUs and other major stakeholders will effectively facilitate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Program, the DILG Regional Office VI hosted the conduct of a two-day Orientation and Action Planning Workshops on FY 2017 ADM Program.The first school was held at Best Western Boracay Tropics Hotel, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan last July 17-18, 2017. DILG Provincial Directors, Cluster Heads, Program Managers, Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs), Municipal Engineers, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (MPDCs) and Municipal Accountants from the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Capiz attended the first leg of the activity. The second school was conducted last July 20-21 at MO2 Westown Hotel, Smallville Complex, Mandurriao, Iloilo City for the Province of Iloilo.

In his message, Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda, DILG Region VI Regional Director, reiterated that the main purpose of the orientation is to discuss the guidelines of the ADM. He reminded the LGUs that have not yet received funds from Bureau of Treasury to fast-track the compliance of good governance requirements, i.e., the Good Financial Housekeeping of DILG and Public Financial Management of DBM. He reiterated that, these are the basis in releasing the funds, highlighting the condition that non-compliance means forfeiture of the funds.

Atty. Nuyda also appealed to the LGUs to implement the projects as soon as possible since the validity of funds is one (1) year, and the performance of the LGUs may also affect the succeeding fund release not just for ADM program, but for other nationally-funded projects as well.

Assistant Program Manager from Oversight Project Management Office, Glenn Q. Miranda, discussed the vision of the Program in addressing financial and infrastructure gaps in municipal government, and likewise, to contribute to the full attainment of empowered, responsible and responsive LGUs.

Miranda added, that following the national priorities, ADM is linked to Philippine Development Plan goals such as: Ensuring People-Centred, Clean, and Efficient Governance; Ensuring Functional Service Delivery Networks; and Strengthening Linkage in Planning Investment Programming and Budgeting. The ADM Program serves as the catchment facility of programs that cannot be accommodated by other government offices such as National Economic Development Authority – Social Development Committee, Legislative Offices, Department of Transportation and National Electrification Administration.

On the other hand, Miss Fe Crisilla Banluta, Program Manager Water Supply and Sanitation Project Management Office of Department of the Interior and Local Government – Office of Project Development Services, Miss Marivic Nocum - Asst. Project Manager, WSSPMO-DILG and Engr. Joemily Felicano - Asst. Project Manager, ADM/BUB Other Infra Project Management Office, discussed the salient features of DILG-DBM Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2017-03 “Policy Guidelines and Procedures in the Implementation of the FY 2017 Local Government Support Fund – Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (LGSF-ADM) Program”.

An action planning covering the periods of July-December 2017 and January-June 2018 was undertaken to ensure timely implementation of the projects. The action planning is aimed to harmonize the strategies and plot detailed steps to increase the efficiency and accountability within the implementing LGUs. (Vincent Villorente, DILG6)

In commemoration of the 50th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Iloilo City holds a Landmark Lighting Ceremony in the Iloilo Convention Center last August 8, 2017.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog together with DILG 6 Assistant Regional Director Maria Calpiza Sardua led the switch-on activity of the landmark lanterns in front of the Iloilo Convention Center. The Lighting Ceremony was held simultaneously in various local government units across the country.

The event was attended by Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III, Councilors Jeffrey Ganzon and Candace Tupas and Liga ng Barangay President Reyland Hervias together with the heads of various National Government agencies namely; PIA 6 Regional Director Atty. Janet Mesa, BJMP 6 Asst. Regional Director Gilbert Peremne, PNP City Director Remus Caniezo and DILG City Director Atty. Ferdinand Panes. Also in the said event were Iloilo City department heads, employees, volunteers and representatives of different government agencies.

The Mayor said that the event was essential to inform the public about ASEAN, its importance and the huge benefits to be derived from the harmonious relationship among member countries in the ASEAN region.

On behalf of the DILG, Asst. Regional Director Maria Calpiza Sardua expressed appreciation to the City Mayor’s acceptance to take the lead in the lighting of the ASEAN Landmark Lanterns done in 50 cities in the country representing 50 years of unity. Asst Director Sardua also stated that the theme; “Partnering for Change Engaging the World” resonates with the Philippine Government’s advocacy to promote unity and peace among ASEAN members.

The event ended with the performance of Tribu Salognon of the Jaro National High School, the grand champion of this year’s Dinagyang Festival.(LGOO II Nikko L. Chua, DILG6-Iloilo City)

DAO, Capiz- In the past, the absence of a functional drainage system worsens the flooding along low-lying barangays of Poblacion Ilaya and Poblacion Ilawod. Futhermore, the absence of water outlet cause rain water stagnation which cause diseases and expose the people to dirty rainwaters in the community.

Confronting with these problems, the local government unit has identified the construction of drainage system to improve the condition. However, as much as to the desire of the local officials to implement the project identified, the municipality is financially constrained to make their plans into a reality.

In 2015, the municipal government was able to secure financial support for the drainage project through the Bottom-up Budgeting. The said project was implemented with a total allocation of Php 3,423,500.00.

The completion of said project has minimized the occurrence of flooding during rainy season. Municipal roads are well drained and the presence of elevated foot walks makes a significant improvement on the quality of life in the community. Since there is an efficient drainage, stagnation of water is addressed which minimizes the occurrence of water borne diseases in the community.

More than 5,000 of the population benefits this flood control project. The people and the municipal officials of said town were thankful for the financial support extended by the DILG.

To ensure the project sustainability, the municipal officials and barangay officials will involve the community in implementing proper waste disposal to prevent deterioration and clogging of the drainage. (LGOO III Erwin Bonifacio, DILG6-Capiz)